Bucks' Skiles likes Moncrief's fit on his coaching staff

Bucks coach Scott Skiles and his newest assistant, Sidney Moncrief, spoke to the members of the Milwaukee media on Monday afternoon at Klement’s Sausage Haus at Miller Park, where the team was holding an event for its patrons.

Skiles was asked why he hired 53-year-old Moncrief, who played 10 seasons with the Bucks and was an all-star selection five times.

"I told many people over the years that the most important year in my career was my rookie year, even though I was not a contributor or anything," said Skiles. "But to be around that group of guys, Sid, Cummings, Pierce, Hodges, Pressey, Jack Sikma - the list is a long list and all of them – Mokeski. I learned an awful lot. Sidney was leader of that group. It felt like the right time. He has had NBA experience as a player. He has had NBA experience now as a coach. He was around our team at the end of (last) season. He knows some of the things we do. It’s a good fit right now."

Skiles said he could not talk about which players Moncrief will work with in particular, because the NBA lockout prohibits him from talking about his players at all.

Moncrief was asked what it meant to him to return to help coach a team that he so defined as a player at a time when team won seven consecutive division titles.

"The organization is a first-class organization," Moncrief said. "Scott Skiles is one of the best coaches in the NBA. I am going to learn a lot from Scott as a head coach. It’s just been a no-brainer coming back, working with the team and being back in the NBA.

"I just want to make a contribution," Moncrief said. "We certainly want the Bucks to be at a level we had years ago. I’m here to assist Scott Skiles and his coaching staff reach that level."

About Bob Wolfley

Bob Wolfley retired in October 2014 He wrote the SportsDay blog and column and about TV and radio issues.